Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

DS just got approved for two 30 minute sessions a week. (Can be at home/community or on site).

I tried the agency I am with for his SEIT and they only had availability on site during the work day.

Impossible since I'd have to leave Babylon, pick him up in Seaford and then head up to the North shore and out East, drop him offn, then go back to work on one of the days. I also am not willing to have ILs drive him.

Another provider just called and she can do one of the days in the home, but is not free any of the others.

She said she is going to call her agency and see if they have anyone else.

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

I had no problem getting one for DS when he started at 22 months through EI. She came to the house. Starting the process before school starts seems to be key.
Now that he is getting OT through CPSE, didn't transfer over until January, it is is IMPOSSIBLE to find anyone to come to the house. And I am having a hard time getting him into a place because he only gets one day a week now. A lot of the places save the slots for kids who get 2 or more days a week..

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

Ugh. I hope they come up with someone.

The one agency I spoke to on Friday was going to kick it back to her place and see if they have anyone who can see him at my ILs in Seaford. (She works near our home in Suffolk).

I think I remember your post. And it was awhile ago you were trying to find someone.

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

I called the school today and spoke with the secretary. She is going to speak with the Director of the committee to see if they will increase him to two 1-hour sessions instead, which might make it more appealing for someone.

She said a lot of places have caseloads already which is another problem they run into adding services mid-year.

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

My son recently got approved for speech and OT and I'm having trouble finding both. They told me the same, that it's because it's the middle of the year and everyone's full.
Good luck!

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

So I guess my next question is:

What happens if they don't find someone?

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

Can you go through insurance if they can't find someone? My son gets private OT through insurance.

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

We used Island Therapy in Deer Park. They are pretty much all OT. Our therapist was one of the owners, Peggy, and there is another lady, Jeannie, who I've heard is very good.

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

Awesome, thanks for the rec. I was about to come back on and ask for one as I just tried googling which was not too helpful.

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

Well I did try the place in DP and they said they would need to get back to me.

Interestingly enough, I had someone else contact me who took a trial drive to see how far it is from her last student, and I met her in front of my IL's earlier tonight.

She is going to take the case!

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

We always did OT at daycare. It worked out well. We had a communication book.

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

We are on a waiting list now... That is the closet I have come to getting anywhere. I have left a message with the school district to see if there is anything they can do.

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

Re: Did you have a hard time finding an OT?

Just some advice,...make sure you have contacted all the very large agencies. Agencies like All About Kids, and New York Therapy Placement Services (they have a pretty large OT database because they also have contracts with the school districts)....

Sometimes an OT will do some time in a SD near you , and be able to get to your home prior to the SD or after. Or of course you can try to locate OTs that live near you.